Associate/Senior Associate - Immigration

Employment, Pensions and Immigration National Service Line (“NSL”)

What does the role involve?

We are excited to be looking for an immigration law solicitor to join the Employment, Pensions and Immigration NSL.  The role can be based in our Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester, Leeds or Norwich offices, working mainly for employers across a variety of sectors including commercial, education, health, sport, and private wealth.

 We have a dedicated specialist national immigration team.  The role will involve working closely with one Partner (who leads the team), one Consultant and one Senior Associate.  We also have lawyers based in our Regulatory, Public & Commercial Disputes NSL who advise higher education institutions on Student immigration matters. 

 This is principally a business immigration role, but will involve some personal immigration work including work that is linked to our private wealth and family practices.  The work is likely to include:

• Advising sponsor employers on the full spectrum of sponsor compliance issues, including day-to-day queries and audits
• Acting as the Legal Representative and Level 1 user for clients on the sponsor management system
• Delivering immigration training for clients
• Advising on Skilled Worker, Global Mobility, Temporary Worker, Global Talent, Standard Visitor, Indefinite Leave to Remain and other visa applications  
• Preparing and advising on sponsor licence applications
• Advising on applications for settlement, British citizenship, and under the FM rules
• Advising on right to work issues
• Corporate support where immigration issues arise on transactions

Our clients include higher education institutions; NHS Trusts; charities; research institutes; companies in the pharma, bioscience and software development sectors; football clubs; and high net worth individuals.

Why should I apply?

This is an ideal opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment and take a leading role in developing and marketing our immigration practice.  You will be a member of our large, established and fast-growing Employment, Pension and Immigration NSL.

 The firm has been named for a record 19th year running as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in The Sunday Times’ annual survey – the only law firm to have achieved this.

Mills & Reeve is a major UK law firm renowned for its outstanding service to national and international clients, for its collaborative culture and for its deep sector expertise.

We are ranked in Band 1 of Legal 500 for our immigration expertise and are members of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association.

What experience is required?

You are likely to have  3+ years’ experience specialising in immigration law gained in a reputable firm. 

What skills and attributes would I need?

Essential

*       Good academics – 2.1 degree or equivalent with good A levels or equivalents

*       Experience in and enthusiasm for immigration law

*       A ‘can-do’ approach

*       Strong marketing and business development skills

*       Self-starting with common sense and initiative

*       Ability to build very good relationships with clients, potential clients and multipliers and deliver outstanding client service

*       Very good time and documentation management skills and keen attention to detail

*       Good presentational skills

*       Good research skills including an ability to use online information sources

*       Excellent interpersonal and team skills, including ability to work with others, influence and persuade

*       Keen interest in developing client training skills

*       High level of IT skills

Desirable

*       Previous experience of advising commercial and institutional clients, as well as individuals

*       Project management skills

*       Experience and knowledge of employment law

Pre-employment screening

Please note that, in the event that we make an offer of employment, we will conduct pre-employment screening that includes checks relating to your professional and academic qualifications, references from previous employers, your eligibility to work in the UK and any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You will also be required to complete a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability.

Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance

This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level – the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment.

And finally

Mills & Reeve is committed to building a diverse workforce and fostering an inclusive environment in which all our people can thrive. We hire people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our firm stronger, and we have a collaborative culture that celebrates different perspectives and values respect for one another, working together, and openness and integrity. Our approach to flexible working means that we work in a way that achieves the right balance for our people, our clients and for our business.